College Sports

TCU Students React To Suspended QB’s ‘Sideline Pass’

Related Tags:

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – The TCU football team faces off against Iowa State at home in Fort Worth Saturday and while quarterback Casey Pachall will not be on the actual playing field there are reports he won’t be far.

Fridays are ‘Go Purple Day’ on the TCU campus and there was a strong show of support for the school football team, despite Pachall’s indefinite suspension after being arrested or DWI. Students were however stirred up after learning a suspension from the team doesn’t necessarily mean Pachall won’t be suited up and on the sidelines.

“I don’t think he should be allowed to suit up in a TCU uniform for all the things he’s done. He’s still representing our school,” TCU student Katie Cardno said.

Student Austin Minor agreed, somewhat. “I think they’re doing the right thing by letting him step aside for a while,” he said.

Pachall’s Thursday arrest comes two months after he made a public apology after acknowledging that he failed a drug test. The test came just before police initiated a drug raid on alleged dealers tied to TCU. Football players, including Pachall’s roommate, were arrested in the sting.

Now, head coach Gary Patterson has reportedly decided to let Pachall live out his football suspension in full uniform and standing with his teammates Saturday.

Disturbed by the decision TCU student Janell Denton said, “I think it gives a bad image. If they let him put on the uniform, they’re saying its okay he did this stuff, and he can still represent our university, by wearing our uniform.”

But not all students were troubled by the coach’s alleged decision. “Regardless of what Casey did he’s still a student here and I think they’re trying to take care of Casey, which is very important,” Will Peters said.

While students differed on whether the do’s and don’ts of Pachall’s suspensions were appropriate, most were questioning if the rules are different when it comes to athletes.

Officials with TCU have said off-campus behavior that violates student conduct rules can be investigated, but there’s no indication the university plans to initiate an investigation surrounding Pachall.